Hepatitis B and cirrhosis: what to know

Cirrhosis is advanced scarring that changes the liver's structure and can interfere with its work, including processing substances and making proteins. Hepatitis B may keep the immune system active in the liver, causing injury over time. Cirrhosis can be compensated, with few obvious symptoms, or decompensated, when complications appear. A diagnosis does not describe how you feel on one particular day; examination and testing guide the assessment.

Fatigue and dark urine are possible signs of liver trouble but are not specific to cirrhosis. Other features may include easy bruising, swollen legs or abdomen, itching, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Keep scheduled appointments and ask about a liver function test, blood tests and imaging. If antiviral medicine is prescribed, take it consistently and discuss any difficulty obtaining or remembering doses. Avoid alcohol and check every new medicine, pain reliever or supplement with a clinician. Balanced meals, safe physical activity and avoiding unregulated herbal products can support general health, while a specialist may advise on advanced cirrhosis care.

Learn more about [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/) and [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/).

Get urgent help for vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, new confusion, extreme sleepiness, fainting, severe abdominal swelling or sudden yellowing. Contact your clinician promptly for increasing ankle swelling, persistent [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/), or worsening [Fatigue](/symptoms/fatigue/). These symptoms can have different causes, but cirrhosis can make complications more serious.

Ask whether you have evidence of scarring, whether your hepatitis B is active, how often your liver should be checked, and which symptoms should trigger a same-day call. Ask for a clear list of medicines and foods or supplements to avoid.